Windows 10, launched nearly a decade ago, will go end of life on 14 October 2025. Before this move, businesses will have to make some big decisions about whether to keep running on Windows 10, migrate to Windows 11, or replace their devices entirely.
So here we walk you through what you need to know, and your options to consider if you’re planning to migrate.
What’s new in Windows 11?
Windows 11 comes with built-in AI features, particularly Microsoft Copilot, on every device. It has an improved layout for a better user experience, such as snap groups and snap layouts, MS Teams added to the taskbar, enhanced touchscreen, etc. It also has improved security and is the ‘most secure’ Windows OS released yet by Microsoft.
What happens to Windows 10 after the due date?
Your device will continue working after this date but will not receive security patches, feature upgrades or technical support from Microsoft. This is a huge issue, because hackers often target outdated operating systems and known vulnerabilities that make your business an easy target.
There’s also compliance to consider for businesses operating in industries, such as finance, healthcare or legal. Many industry regulations require them to use supported software, so running Windows 10 past the deadline could be an issue.
There is a way to continue receiving security updates, but it isn’t cheap. You can purchase Extended Security Options (ESUs) to receive critical security updates, that will cost $61 per device for the first year, doubling every consecutive year to $122 per device in year two and $244 in year three. However, feature updates or support are not included in ESUs.
What are your options?
According to research last year, 82% of organisations are still unprepared to move to Windows 11. There’s a lot of uncertainty around migration. Many companies did not have a pleasant experience migrating to Windows 10, so they expect this transition can be time-consuming and disruptive.
While it’s not entirely untrue, the key is to know your options and plan ahead, as delaying them can be very expensive.
So how can you go about checking your options and planning the migration?
Check your device compatibility with Windows 11
If you have the right Microsoft license, the upgrade to Windows 11 is free. However, not every device is compatible with Windows 11.
Windows 11 comes with stringent hardware requirements, so devices older than three years will likely not be compatible with the new OS.
In that case, you will need to replace the equipment. If your devices are newer, though, upgrading is pretty straightforward.
If you’re running on Windows 10 Home, Pro, or Pro for Workstations, you can check if the device is compatible in the PC Health Check app. If you are on Windows 10 Enterprise or Education, contact your IT team or support partner to check your eligibility.
If you need to replace multiple devices, it’s also worth considering the Hardware as a Service (HaaS) option, which allows you to lease devices instead of spending a significant amount upfront.
Decide on your device strategy
Once hardware compatibility is determined, you can either migrate or replace devices or consider alternate options like moving to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) or Cloud PC. This means you don’t necessarily have to replace every device, which could save money and make remote and hybrid work easier.
A lot of businesses are also thinking about the sustainability side of things. It’s anticipated that older devices that cannot support Windows 11 will end up creating huge amounts of e-waste.
If you are one of those conscious of your business’ environmental footprint, there are charities that refurbish and provide these old laptops to underprivileged children or communities.
We work closely with ITSA Digital, a charity that takes old laptops, refurbishes them, and provides them to children in the UK and Africa, giving them access to better learning opportunities. We regularly encourage our customers to donate their unwanted devices, and it’s a great way to make a real difference – something to think about if sustainability is on your agenda.
Plan the migration
The next step is to plan your Windows 11 migration well ahead of the deadline. The right time to start will depend on your business, but if you’re running business-critical services, you can’t afford to have all your devices offline at once, so some careful upfront planning is essential.
During the upgrade, users won’t be able to access their devices. While we can automate a lot of these processes, there’s still a need for hands-on planning, management, and testing to make sure everything runs smoothly.
For scoping the project, understand how many devices need to be upgraded? Understand the working patterns of the users and their availability. Based on that, engineers can schedule upgrades in phases, keeping disruption to a minimum, whether that’s during lunch breaks, outside working hours, or even when they’re on holiday.
Don’t wait till the last minute
Prepare for the migration as soon as possible to consider all your options, reduce disruptions, and ensure a smooth transition way ahead of time.
Contact us if you’d like to check your hardware compatibility and plan a disruption-free migration.
